NEED TO FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE

In the midst of missteps in the polity is evidence of measured progress, writes Mudasiru Adebayo Salami

We all have memories of 2017. Mine was full - from Commonwealth scholarship to becoming the father of an undergraduate; from several challenging surgical cases successfully managed, to humbling scenarios that constantly remind us of the need to stay grounded, and many other stories which only evoke praise to God almighty. Now come 2018.

I made a resolution long time ago to focus my energy on the positive, as our time on this planet is finite, with so many impacts to be made. Negativity can only be a drag on our positive force to live doing great good to the citizens of this world. At the same time, we must derive some lessons from events around us.

First, is a common ill in our society - lack of attention to detail. Many people submit work, reports and documents without paying attention to what is being submitted. Are all facts crosschecked and background information complete? Literally, billions are lost when messages are misinterpreted due to errors and many lives changed forever. In our communications, we should do away with meaningless abbreviations that belittle us –’because’ is never equal to ‘cos’. Go the extra mile, say it and do it right the first time.

The next lesson is related, in choosing people to man positions like board member, we must turn a new leaf by ensuring a detailed vetting of curriculum vitae. Individuals need to be matched based on their expertise, experience and competence. A board is supposed to be the highest decision-making body of an organisation or agency. They carry out oversight functions and strategic thinking for a greater future. We cannot derive gold from iron, and therefore we can only expect the best when we put people in their best areas of strength. We also need to widen our target population with a more diverse pool beyond party men. Talents and diligent execution is not a party, tribe or religious monopoly.

Diversity pays. A room where everybody comes from the same background and thinks alike hardly births innovation. Let’s embrace diversity and respect our differences. We can only be stronger and more successful when we do.

And let’s remember that the world is dynamic. So, we should be sensitive to global changes and avoid business as usual in 2018. We can be more efficient and effective if we just ask ourselves the question daily - how can we do this better?

Further, we must as individuals, organisations or nations, eschew wastage. The more the agencies we struggle to sustain, the more the resources are thinned out and the essentials compromised. The little we have can do just much. Where is value for money when we keep increasing recurrent expenditure at a cost to development?

Related to this, is a fervent need for social media detoxification by all of us. Remember the word ‘social’ comes before and define the ‘media’, hence we cannot spend all our time in finite enjoyment at the expense of future higher stations and achievements. Find out about the innovators and achievers of last year, they did not make that happen on social media. Let’s all control our use of social media to create more time for real enriching activities. Shakespeare or Rowling couldn’t have written so many evergreen books if they spend 50% of their day time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp. Take the good from the media within a minimal defined time and engage the world more.

Now let’s all rejuvenate our minds and redirect ourselves to focusing on excellence in all our domains and offices. Let the final arbiter in our decisions be that which supports and smell excellence. Let’s do things in new ways to ensure a greater today and tomorrow, for the future starts from the next minute.

Let’s extinguish the flames of complacency and deficit in commitment to nation-building. Let’s all unite to fight for RESPONSIVE and RESPONSIBLE governance that is beyond primordial party or ethnic interests. Our loyalty is to the nation and the struggling masses. Let’s be great examples within our niche of influence far better than what we preach in our eloquent speeches. Let’s have more men and women of integrity rise to reawaken Nigeria.

Let’s remain awake to opportunities in our environment which abound. Those who invested one million naira wisely in Nigerian stock exchange January 2017 could have ended up with N430,000 gain on some stocks based on the reported 43% return. That was in spite of recession, with the feat earning Nigeria the award of third best performing stock market in the world. Those opportunities and more, beckon, as our economy improves further this year. Focus on the positives and seek to make best use of opportunities, for they remain rare and hardly come knocking again. Opportunities abound in agriculture value chain, health sector, education, transport and virtually all aspects of human endeavour in a nation blessed with 180 million people. Seek, find and maximise yours.

In conclusion, in the midst of missteps in the polity is evidence of measured progress. Change takes time and fortune. I am convinced a new dawn is birthing in Nigeria and globally. Lead the change, harness opportunities!

Enjoy the striving!

DIVERSITY PAYS. A ROOM WHERE EVERYBODY COMES FROM THE SAME BACKGROUND AND THINKS ALIKE HARDLY BIRTHS INNOVATION. LET’S EMBRACE DIVERSITY AND RESPECT OUR DIFFERENCES. WE CAN ONLY BE STRONGER AND MORE SUCCESSFUL WHEN WE DO